Slug casting machine



'May 23, 193B. .1. R. ROGERS SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Aug. '7, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m m r E m A WW f awf m .1. f

a m -U fi w May 23, 1933. J. R. ROGERS spue CASTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NVENTOR TZ%NEYS mill] May 23, 1933. J. R. ROGERS SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 I I l l I ll &

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a d/44 1 A TTORNE VS May 23, 1933. J, ROGERS 1,910,566

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1951 SSheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR May 23, 1933. J. R. ROGERS 1,910,566

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Aug. '7, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR A T RNEYK Patented May 23, 1933 UNFTED d'lATES PATlElNT JOHN R. ROGERS, OF BROOKLYN, NEVT YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERG-ENTI-IALER LINOTYFE CQIVIPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW' YORK SL'UG CASTING MACHINE Application filed August 7, 1981'.

This invention is directed to a novel hand stick especially constructed for use in commercial linotype machines and designed primarily for the hand composition of matrices too large or otherwise not intended for machine composition. However, the improved stick is also capable of handling matrices of regular or machine-composed size and may therefore be used advantageously whenever it is desired to cast a few lines from some particular matrix font or fonts not carried at the time in the machine.

In the use of the stick, the several operations required to prepare the composed matrix line for the casting of the slug are offected automatically after the stick is placed in the machine and the cycle of operation inaugurated. In other words, it is proposed, according to the present invention, to clamp the line endwise in the stick and aline the individual matrices with the mold by certain regular organs of the machine during their normal operation. To this end, the stick is provided with a movable end wall adapted to yield under pressure of the wellknown clamping jaws, and is further provided with a depending buffer plate arranged in the path of the vertically movable justification bar whereby the stick may be so lifted bodily so as to carry the lower projecting ears of the matrices against the alin ing rib of the mold.

The invention also contemplates certain attachn'lents, permanently installed in the machine and which facilitate the use of the improved stick therein. One of these attachments consists of a hook or latch for holding the matrix line transporter or socalled first elevator out of action when the so stick. is placed in the machine; and the other attachment consists of a compensating device to insure the proper alinement of the matrix lines with the end walls of the mold slot, whether they be handled in the regular way or by using the stick. in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the compensating device is in the form of a small sheet-metal plate or interponent equal in thickness to the fixed end wall of the stick and movable at will into and out of active position be- Serial No. 555,684.

tween the right hand clamping jaw and its fixed abutment.

These and other features will be more fully discussed in the detailed description to follow. .55

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to the regular or standard linotype machine, but obviously many changes and variations oo may be made therein and in its mode of application, which will still be comprised with in its spirit. For example, the compensating device, instead of being mounted in the machine frame, might well be mounted directly on the adjacent clamping jaw, and the spring for holding the stick resiliently down upon the vise frame might be mounted in the machine, instead of in the stick itself. Furthermore, the stick is not restricted in'70 its use to the regular linotype machines but is well adapted for use in other forms of castingmachines such as those ordinarily devoted to the production of leads, rules, furniture, etc. lit should, therefore, be un derstood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: 80

F ig. l is a vertical section taken thru the casting mechanism of a linotype machine, showing the improved hand stick applied thereto, and showing also in elevation the means employed to hold the line transporter 35 out of action;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View partly in section of certain parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation showing the stick positioned between the clamping jaws and the condition of adjacent parts before alinement of the matrices;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section showing the latch for the matrix retaining bar;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation showing a modification of the improved stick;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the improved stick and adjacent parts in the position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the hand stick detached; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are end views of two alternative forms of hand sticks embodying th present invention.

The matrices, which may include the twoletter matrices (not shown) and the single display matrices Y, are formed, as usual, with the upper and lower projecting ears 3 9 the V-shaped distributing notches 3 and the formative cavity 1 Ordinarily, as the machine cycle of opera tion is inaugurated, a composed line of matrices is delivered into the vertically movable transporter or first elevator A, and the rotatable mold disc B is given a quarter turn to locate the active mold B in the casting position. The transporter then descends to position the line between the clamping jaws C C and is arrested in its descent at the proper level by the engagement of its banking screw a upon the fixed vise frame D.

As the cycle of operation proceeds, the disc A is moved forwardly to carry the mold B into contact with the matrix line, the transporter is raised under spring tension to aline "the matrix characters with the mold slot (the lower projecting ears :1 of the matrices by this operation being forced upwardly against the overlying mold lip Z9), and the cross bar E of the justification device is pushed upwardly to justify and expand the line tightly between the jaws C C these latter operations taking place just prior to the casting of the slug which immediately follows.

After the slug casting operation, the mold disc B is caused to recede and the trans porter A is raised to its uppermost level, where the matrix line is transferred therefrom into the channel F for further elevation and distribution. Meanwhile, the mold disc 13 is given a three-quarter turn and then advanced a second time to locate the mold in the slug ejecting position. As the cycle of operation is completed, the transporter is lowered to its normal position at an intermediate level, and the slug is ejected from the mold.

The vise frame D, which ordinarily ineludes the cap portion D is equipped, as usual, with an automatic device to bring about the stoppage of the machine when, for any one of the well-known reasons, the transporter A, in its descent, fails to reach a predetermined casting level. This device (Fig. 1) comprises the vertically disposed rod G mounted in the frame D and formed at its upper end with a reduced nose portion 9. A pull spring G connected to the rod Gr holds it resiliently upward in a normal position with the nose portion 9 protruding a slight distance above the top surface of the cap D Near its lower end, the rod G is provided with a lip 9 arranged in the path of a fore-and-aft spring plunger D by which the rod may be swung forwardly to actuate the clutch control lever H, a stud mounted on the front face of the mold disc B being adapted to engage the plunger D as the disc is moved forwardly to casting position.

The arrangement of the parts is such that, when the screw a of the transporter banks upon the vise frame D, the rod G will be depressed by a corresponding screw 0, (also mounted in the transporter), and the lip g of said rod will be moved out of the path of the plunger D Consequently, when the disc B is moved forwardly, the lever H will be undisturbed and the cycle of operation allowed to proceed. If, however, the transporter is arrested at an improper level, such as to prevent the depression of the rod G,

the latter will be rocked forwardly by the.

plunger D and thru the control lever H stop the machine before the casting operation can take place.

The plunger D is again actuated when the disc 13 is moved forwardly for the ejection of the slug and would, unless means were otherwise provided, actuate the rod G and stop the machine, the transporter A at this time occupying its uppermost position (shown in Fig. l) and out of contact with the vise frame D. Such stoppage of the machine, however, is prevented by a small fore-andaft rocking lever D which is actuated by a shoe 1. carried at the lower end of the transporter and adapted to depress the rod G at the proper moment.

So far as described, the construction and mode of operation of the various parts are or may be the same as those embodied in the commercial linotype machines and therefore require no further description.

According to the present invention, means are provided for locking the transporter A out of action, preferably in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 1, so that it will not only be out of the way for easy access to the casting mechanism when the hand stick is in use, but thru the medium of the shoe 0: and rocking lever D will also held the safety device G depressed and al low the casting operation to take place without interrupt-ion after the machine has been started. Such locking mean consists merely of a hook or similar device in the form of a right-angular plate 3?, pivotally mounted on a vertical axis 39 in the framework of the machine.

The plate P is provided near its lower extremity with a pin or stud p and above the stud with a small operating handle 0 by which it may be turned about its pivotal axis to active or inactive position, as desired. When the plate P is turned to lock the transporter against downward movement (as shown by the full lines in Fig. 1), the stud 72 is adapted to engage beneath a corresponding stud of projecting forwardly from the head A ofthe transporter; whereas, when the plate is turned to release the transporter (as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1), the stud p is moved to one side and out of the vertical path of the stud at.

The improved hand stick J (see Fig. 9) comprises generally a flat bottom wall J upon which the matrices Y are supported by their lower edges, a single side wall J formed with upper and lower clearance grooves j j for the projecting ears of the matrices, two end Walls J J and a matrix retaining bar J The retaining bar J", in the preferred embodiment illustrated, is hingedly connected at one end by means of a cross pin or screw to the end wall J and is Vshaped in cross-section so as to fit within the similarly shaped notches 3 of the matrices.

t its opposite or free end, the bar J is provided with a spring latch J 6 adapted when the bar is swung to its active position, as shown in Fig. 3, to engage a corresponding aperture formed in the end wall J The latch J (see Fig. 5) is held resiliently within the bar J by a keeper plate J and is provided with a small knob or handle J by which it may be retracted from its engagement with the end wall J to release the bar.

During composition of the matrix line, the bar J is swung out of the way into the position shown in Fig. 9, where it hangs suspended by the hinge pin j alongside the end wall J. To assist the operator at such times in making up lines of the required length, the hand stick J is provided with a scale J embedded in the side wall J and extending thruout the length thereof. hen the matrix line is completely composed the bar J is swung back to its active'position to engage the V-shaped notches 3 of the matrices and the latch J snaps into the aperture j. Possible damage to the tooth combinations of the matrices as a result of this operation is prevented by a lip j, formed on the keeper plate J and adapted to bank upon the upper edge of the end wall J (see Fig. 5). The bar J 5 is thus arrested in a truly horizontal position without striking the matrices (see Figs. 1 and 3).

Handling of the stick J, particularly in its application and removal to and from the machine, is facilitated by a bail-shaped handle J secured to the upper edge of the side wall J In applying the stick to the machine, it is inserted downwardly between the clamping jaws C C alongside the rear face of a Vertical. flange D of the vise cap D and it is arrested at the proper level for casting by a pair of lugs j which project forwardly from the opposite end walls of the stick.

As these lugs engage the top of the vise frame D, the lower projecting ears 3/ of the matrices are located (as shown in Fig. 1) so that they will clear the alining rib b of the mold when the latter is advanced into contact with the matrix line. In this connection, it will be noted (see Fig. 1) that the rear edge of the bottom wall J terminates flush with or inward of the casting edges of the matrices so as to avoid interference with the ordinary keeper plates of the regular molds (not shown), if one of this particular variety, instead of head-letter mold B happens to be employed.

In order to insure seating of both lugs j upon the vise cap D the stick J is provided with a device for clamping it resiliently down upon said cap. This device (best shown in Fig. 1) is mounted in the side wall J of the stick at a point midway of its length and comprises a vertical shank por-p' tion J which projects above and below said wall.

At its lower end, the shank J is provided with a clamping member J arranged in a shallow recess j (Figs. 3 and 8) formed in the bottom of the stick; and at its upper end, it is provided with a handle J by means of which the clamping member J may be turned to and from its active positom of the recess J and reacting against the hub of the handle J tends to push the shank J upwardly.

When the stick is applied to the machine, the clamping member J is turned to engage the lower edge of the flange D thereby compressing the spring J which will now act thru the clamping member to hold the lugs j down upon the cap D (Fig. 1). To facilitate the engagement of the clamping member beneath the flange D it is formed with a beveled or cam surface j (indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. The flange D by its face to face engagement with the rear wall J olfers a solid support for the hand stick against the strains of the lock-up, and a pair of vertical shoulders J formed on the opposite end Walls J J keep the stick snugly engaged with said flange. The shoulders J are produced by recessing the outer faces of the walls J J and are adapted to fit snugly against the rear faces of the clamping jaws C C (see Fig. 8).

It will be observed (Fig. 1) that when clamping member J is engaged with the flange sufficient space still remains between the shouldered hub portion j of the handle and toe top of the side wall J to permitraising of the stick relatively to the clamping device and the vise frame D, so that the indiviuual matrices of the composed line may in this way be properly alined with the mold slot. Ordinarily and as previously stated, such alinement is brought about by an upward movement of the line transport-er A while the mold is in contact (or substantially so) with the matrix line, but in the present instance, it is effected by the justification bar E during its normal operation.

For this reason, the stick J, as may also be noted (see Figs. 1 and 3), is provided with -.a depending bow-shaped buffer plate J disposed directly in the vertical path of the bar E. The plate J (see Figs. 8 and 9) is fastened at its opposite ends to the bottom wall 5"- of the stick by screw and slot connections J and may therefore yield under the impact of the justification bar as the matrix ears engage the alining rib b of the mold.

Just prior to the above alining operation, the left hand aw C by the upward thrust of the customary vertical wedge bar 0 (Fig.

2), is forced against the stick J and thru the medium of the stick is adapted to move the right hand jaw C against the fixed stop pin C As a result, the matrix line is brought into proper alinement with the end walls of the mold slot, and the right hand jaw C is caused to actuate the fore-and-aft pump stop lever Q, the latter being common to the commercial linotype machines and when actuated permitting the final lock-up and the casting of the slug, as usual. A spring Q holds the lever Q; against a fixed stop Q (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2), and a set screw Q mounted in the free end of said lever is arranged to abut against the jaw C As the right hand aw its stop screw C the stick J will be clamped tightly between the jaws and by the same operation, it is proposed to clamp the matrix line between the end walls of the stick J. To this end, one of the end walls, preferably the wall J is mounted in the stick for a slight facewise movement, while the opposing wall J is rigidly fastened thereto. The movement of the wall J need not be more than 1/6 l of an inch, and, as herein shown, it permitted by making the counter-bores for the screws J which hold the end wall in place, slightly, deeper than C banks against would ordinarily be required (Fig. As I a result of this construction and by the normal operation of the clamping aws C C the matrix lines supported in the hand stick J will be held under sui'ficient pressure to insure the casting of a perfect slug.

Following the casting operation and after the stick is relieved'of the pressure of the clamping jaws, the clamping member J is turned to its inactive position out of engagement with the flange D and the stick may then be lifted by the handle J from the machine. By releasing the matrix retaining bar J and swinging it out of the way, complete access to the stick is obtained and the contained matrices may be removed for distribution.

As a further feature of the invention, the machine is equipped with an interponent R, which may be instantly thrown into and out of action and which is intended to compensate for the thickness of the end wall 5* of the stick J when the latter is not in use. To be more explicit, the right hand jaw C in the present instance, must be stopped in one position when casting from lines supported in the stick J, and in a different po sition when casting from lines supported in the transporter A, in order that the opposite ends of the composed lines may be brought into the proper registry with the end walls of the mold slot.

The interponent It (see Figs. 3 and 4:)

consists of a small, vertically movable, sheetmetal strip attached by means of a pin and slot connection R to an angular bracket piece R fastened to the cap D of the vise frame D (see also Fig. 2). At its upper end, the interponent R is provided with a handle R to facilitate its operations, and immediately below the handle, it is formed with a rearward projection R to cooperate with the set screw Q of the pump stop lever Q. The lower end portion R of the interponent is arranged to cooperate directly with the banking screw C of the right hand jaw 0 The relation of the parts is such that, when theinterponent R is pushed downwardly to its active position (as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. i), the lower end portion R thereof will be located between the jaw C and its banking screw C and the projection R will be simultaneously located between said jaw and the set screw Q whereas, when the interponent R is pulled upwardly to its inactive position (as shown by the full lines in Fig. 4), it will stand entirely clear of the jaw C with its lower end portion R and the projection R located above the screws C and Q respectively.

In the former instance, the jaw C thru the medium of the interponent P, will be stopped in the position required for ma chine-composed lines of circulating matrices,

i. e., with its clamping face alined with the contiguous end wall of the mold; and in the latter instance, the said jaw, because of the absence of the interponent, will be stopped directly by the banking screw C in the position required for lines composed by hand in the stick J, the clamping face of the jaw C at this time being offset to the right from the said end wall of the mold a distance equal to the thickness of the interponent or to that of the end wall J of the stick.

The interponent R is arranged to occupy normally the inactive position shown in Fig. 3, where it may be pushed directly downward between the set screw Q and the jaw when the machine is at rest, but when said jaw is moved against the banking screw C during justification, the interponent is adapted to yield bodily facewise under the influence of the jaw. The pin R of the interponent is, therefore, extended beyond the outer side face thereof and is provided with a small compression spring B (Fig. 3), which holds the interponent resiliently against the bracket piece R and permits it to yield in the manner required.

According to the foregoing improvements, when it is desired to convert the machine to the use of the hand stick J, it is merely necessary to lift the transporter and lock it out of action by a partial turn of the hook. P and then raise the interponent R a fraction of an inch clear of the jaw C The stick may now be applied to the machine, as before described, and after the cycle of operation is inaugurated, the matrix line will be automatically clamped in the stick and alined properly with the mold for casting. In converting the machine back to the use of circulating matrices, the above operations are reversed, the transporter being released and lowered to normal position and the interponent B being pushed down into engagement with the jaw C It may also be mentioned that while the interponent R is not essential to the use of the stick J, it is nevertheless very desirable, since it saves the time thatwould otherwise be required in tedious setting and resetting of the banking screw C and set screw Q}.

The invention further contemplates the alternative means shown in Figs. 6 and 7 for clamping the matrices Y in the stick J and which is also controlled automatically during the normal operation of the machine. In this instance, the end wall J which corresponds to the end wall J 3 of the stick J, is rigid instead of being loosely mounted, and it includes a vertically movable wedgeshaped member J which when driven upwardly is adapted to lock the matrix line within the stick. The member J 21 (see Fig. 7) is slidably connected by tongues and grooves J 22 to the inner face of the end wall J and is operated by the justification bar E during its upward movement, the latter at the same time serving, as before, to lift the stick in effecting vertical alinement of the matrix characters with the mold.

As another alternative in the detail struc ture of the stick J, the matrix retaining means (as shown in Fig. 10) may consist of a bar T arranged to cooperate with the upper projecting ears 1 of the matrices instead of with the V-shaped notches thereof. The bar T is mounted to swing back and forth on a horizontal axis T by means of a pair of depending arms T arranged at the opposite ends of the stick. A pivoted latch T carried at one end of the bar T and arranged to engage a pin '1 mounted in the stick, holds the bar in its active position and permits it to be quickly released when free access to the stick is desired.

Fig. 11 shows still another form of matrix retaining bar, which is also adapted to cooperate with the upper projecting ears of the matrices. This bar U, like the bar T, is provided at its opposite ends with arms U which are hingedly connected to the stick, but the hinge pins U in this instance, are located near the top of the stick, and the bar in consequence is swung downwardly and upwardly to and from its active position. Lugs a, rising from the end walls of the stick, limit the downward movement of the bar. and a spring latch plate U secured to one of said end walls and arranged to cooperate with the adjacent side arm U of the bar, maintains the latter releasably engaged with said lugs.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a fixed supporting frame, a slotted mold, a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line, means for holding the stick yieldingly on the supporting frame in casting relation to the mold, and automatic means for moving the stick bodily with reference to the supporting frame to effect alinement of the matrix characters with the mold slot.

2. A combination as specified in claim 1, including a pair of clamping aws for holding the stick rigidly in the casting position, and characterized by the fact that the stick is provided with end walls, one of which is capable of slight facewise movement to permit the clamping action of the jaws to be imparted to the contained matrix line.

3. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a fixed supporting frame, a slotted mold, a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line, means for attaching the stick to the supporting frame in casting relation to the mold, and a spring arranged between the stick and the attaching means to permit yielding of the stick bodily with reference to the supporting frame, for the purpose described.

4. In or for a slug casting machine, a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line and provided with a clamping device for holding it in casting position in the machine frame, said clamping device being resiliently connected to the stick to permit it to yield bodily with reference to the machine frame, for the purpose described.

5. In a linotype machine, the combination with the slotted mold, and the fixed vise frame, of a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line, means for holding the hand stick on the vise frame in casting relation to the mold, and a resilient connection between the hand stick and its holding means to permit the upward bodily yielding of the stick.

6. In or for a slug casting machine, a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line and provided with a clamping device for holding it in casting position in the machine frame, said clamping device being resiliently connected to the stick to permit it to yield bodily with reference to the machine frame, and the stick being provided further with a resilient member arranged to be engaged by a periodically operated part of the machine in effecting the aforesaid bodily movement of the stick.

7. In or for a linotype machine, a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line and comprising a bottom wall, an upright side wall, and two end walls, the side wall being provided at its upped edge and at opposite ends with rearwardly extended lugs adapted to seat upon the top face of the vise frame and at its lower edge with a movable clamping member adapted to engage the vise frame and hold the lugs to their seat thereon.

8. A hand stick according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the clamping member therein referred to is fast to the lower end of a shaft extended vertically thru the side wall of the stick and having an operating handle located above the upper edge thereof.

9. A. hand stick accordin to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the clamping memher or its operating shaft is constantly pressed upwardly by a compression spring and is yi ldable in relation to the stick, for the purpose described.

10. A hand stick according to claim 7 and provided on the underside of its bottom plate with a bow plate or spring adapted to be engaged by the justification bar in the normal operation of the machine.

11. In a slug casting machine, the combination wtih a fixed supporting frame, a slotted mold, and a vertically movable justification bar, of a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line, a clamping 1nember for holding the stick resiliently engaged upon the supporting frame, and a spring buffer thru which the upward movement of the justification bar is communicated to the hand stick, whereby the stick may be raised relatively to the supporting frame to aline the matrices with the mold.

12. In a slug casting machine, the combination with a fixed supporting frame, a slotted mold, a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line, means for holding the stick resiliently engaged upon said frame, means for raising the stick bodily to alinc the matrix characters with'the mold slot, a pair of clamping jaws slidably mounted in the supporting frame, and means for locating the jaws in a definite position to bring the end matrices of the composed line within the stick in alinement with the end walls of the mold slot.

13. In or for a slug casting machine, a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line, said matrices being formed at their lower ends with ears projecting beyond their casting edges, the stick comprising a side wall, two end walls, and a bottom wall whereon the matrices rest at their lower edges, said bottom wall in width being less than the full width of the matrices and such hat its rear edge will be flush with or located inward of the casting edges of the matrices, for the purpose described.

14. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, two end walls, and a resilient clamping device mounted in the side wall for holding the stick in the proper casting position when it is applied to the machine.

15. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick having a clamping member resiliently mounted therein and means attached to the bottom thereof whereby it may be moved relatively to said clamping member when it is applied'to the machine.

16. A hand stick as specified in claim 14, including a bail or handle mounted on the upper edge of its side wall for manipulating the stick in its application to and removal from the machine.

17 A hand stick as specified in claim 14 for matrices formed on their front and rear edges with upper and lower projecting ears, characterized by the fact that the inner face of the side wall is grooved or recessed longitudinally to accommodate the projecting ears of the matrices, and that one end wall is movable facewise, for the purpose described.

18. In a slug casting machine, the combination with a slotted mold, a pair of clamping jaws for sustaining a line of matrices in front of the mold, a fixed supporting frame wherein the jaws are slidably mounted, and a stop or abutment for locating the clamping face of one of said jaws in line with the adjacent end wall of the mold slot, of a hand stick adapted to be supported between the clamping jaws and provided with an end wall which abuts against the abutmentlocated clamping jaw, and an adjustableint-erponent insertible between said. jaw and its abutment when the stick is not in use to compensate for the thickness of the end wall thereof.

19. A combination as specified in claim 18, characterized b the fact that the interponent therein referred to consist of a strip of sheet-metal equal in thickness to that of the end wall of the stick and movable at will to and from active position between the said jaw and its abutment.

20. A combination as specified in claim 18, including a pump stop lever controlled by the jaw, and characterized by the fact that the interponent is formed with a portion which is inserted between the jaw and said lever when the interponent is moved to active position.

21. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a fixed frame, a vertically movable transporter slidably mounted in said frame for carrying composed lines of matrices to and from the casting position, an automatic safety device controlled by the transporter at its uppermost and lowermost levels for preventing the casting operation when a matrix line is presented at an improper level to the mold, and releasable means for holding the transporter at its uppermost level to render it inactive as long as desired, for the purpose described.

22. A combination as specified in claim 21, characterized by the fact that the holding means for the transporter consists of a hook or similar device mounted on the machine frame and movable at will into and out of engagement with a lug or pin projecting from the head of the transporter.

23. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick equipped with means for clamping it in casting position in the machine and with means operable by one of the regular organs of the machine for compacting matrices in the stick preparatory to the casting operation.

24. A hand stick as specified in claim 23, characterized by the fact that the said clamping means consists of a sliding wedge member mounted at one end of the stick and operable by a vertically movable organ of the machine.

25. A hand stick as specified in claim 23, characterized by the fact that the said clamping means consists of a facewise yielding end wall operable by a horizontally movable organ of the machine.

26. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, two end walls, and

a V-shaped matrix retaining bar pivoted to the top of one of the end walls on a transverse axis and adapted to be swung downwardly to an inactive position alongside said wall.

27. A hand stick according to claim 26, characterized by the fact that the matrix retaining bar is provided at its free end with a spring-actuated latch adapted to engage in an aperture formed in the other end wall of the stick when the bar is in active position.

28. A hand stick according to claim 26, characterized by the fact that the matrix retaining bar is provided with a lip which, by engagementwith the top of the other end wall of the stick when the bar is in active position, prevents the bar from striking against the matrices.

29. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, two end walls, and a matrix retaining bar presenting depending side arms hingedly connected to the opposite ends of the stick, the pivotal axis of said bar being located adjacent the bottom wall of the stick so that the bar may be swung back and forth into and out of engagement with the upper ends of the matrices.

30. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, two end walls, and a matrix retaining bar presenting side arms hingedly connected to lugs rising from the upper edges of the opposite end walls of the stick, and a spring latch mounted on the stick for holding the said bar in its active position.

31. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick comprising a side wall, a bottom wall, and two end walls, the said end walls being recessed at the open side of the stick to receive a pair of line clamping jaws when the stick is placed in the machine.

32. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick comprising the bottom wall J with the spring plate J, the end walls J J with their shoulders J and the side wall J with its resilient clamping 7.

means J J J, J and its handle J all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof, this specification has been duly signed by:

JOHN R. ROGERS. 

